Chelsea 2 Portsmouth

SPOT ON ... Frank Lampard celebrates

IF Wolves' reserve team losing at Old Trafford merits a letter from the Premier League, this result deserves a whole book.

But this time it is the WINNERS who should be the subject of an inquiry.


For how the hell can the side leading the so-called strongest league in the world struggle so miserably against the team propping up the table?


At least Mick McCarthy's shadow side surrendered tamely against Manchester United.


Avram Grant also rested the majority of his team from the weekend, yet still had nearly enough to get a result.


For Grant, making his first return to the club who sacked him 19 months ago, this was the ultimate vindication of his managerial abilities.


For Carlo Ancelotti, who for almost half an hour was staring down the barrel of his fifth successive game without a win, it was confirmation of his growing concerns.


The Chelsea boss promised after Saturday's 3-3 draw with Everton that he would give his under-performing superstars the electric shock treatment and an order to get lost if they did not stop the rot soon.


Time to get out the cattle prod, Carlo, and tell a few of them to 'F*** off!'


For even Frank Lampard's 79th-minute penalty winner could not paper over the cracks starting to open all over Stamford Bridge.


Chelsea might still lead the table by three points from United but they look anything but champions right now.


This was as unconvincing a victory as it is possible to imagine against a team in such dire straits as Portsmouth.


Grant rested seven of the team which pinched a draw at Sunderland at the weekend, yet still gave his former club the mother of all scares.


Chelsea were again all over the place at the back and a bundle of nerves at every set-piece.


So it was hardly a shock that Portsmouth's 51st-minute equaliser came as a direct consequence of the Blues' failure to deal with a dead ball.


Jamie O'Hara's free-kick flew straight into the defensive wall, catching Ashley Cole by surprise as the ball cannoned off his head straight to the unmarked Frederic Piquionne. The grateful Frenchman could hardly believe his luck as he smashed his shot past Petr Cech.


Ancelotti hauled off the unconvincing Deco, Jon Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou in quick succession. And this time the changes had the desired effect, as poor old Pompey finally cracked under the late pressure.


Branislav Ivanovic's charge into the danger area was halted by an ill-timed challenge from Marc Wilson. Lampard converted from the spot.


The England midfielder had missed his last effort from 12 yards in the defeat at Manchester City but held his nerve this time to get his team back on track.


And, at long last, Chelsea were able to hold on to their lead long enough to claim all three points.


They had already surrendered the advantage once after Nicolas Anelka had fired them ahead in the 23rd minute.


Grant always knew the Frenchman would score goals for Chelsea. What a pity he did not start a bit sooner.


It was Grant who brought Anelka to the Bridge in a £15million deal from Bolton in January 2008. But in his first season at the club the moody Frenchman managed just two goals for the man who signed him.


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To make matters worse, it was Anelka's miss in the penalty shootout which helped condemn Chelsea to defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League final - and sealed Grant's fate.


Three days after the retreat from Moscow, Grant was sacked.


You could have put your house on Anelka scoring a goal to keep poor Pompey rooted to the foot of the Premier League table - and he did not disappoint.


Peeling off in a crowded area, he was perfectly placed to sidefoot home from Alex's pull-back for his eighth goal of the season.


What a way to mark his 100th appearance for Chelsea. What a way to show his gratitude to Grant.


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